Degree

Master of Arts

School

Teacher Education

Overview

The Master of Arts in Elementary Education program is designed for individuals who want to become certified elementary education teachers. Our program is committed to preparing highly qualified elementary education teachers equipped with knowledge and skills mated to research-based best practices. In addition, the program leads to the state-approved ESOL Endorsement and Reading Endorsement upon graduation.

Students will gain experience in elementary classrooms through direct experiences, such as service learning and internship. As part of the program, students will complete 80 hours of service learning. Students will also complete an internship: a traditional full-semester internship or a two-semester, on-the-job (OTJ) internship. The OTJ internship provides students an opportunity to join the teaching profession while still in the program.

Graduating from this state-approved MA program requires:

  • Successfully completing a six-hour internship.
  • Submitting a comprehensive portfolio.
  • Passing scores on all sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.

This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please view the licensure disclosure for this program.

Program Details

  • Students enrolled in the MA program can typically complete the program in 1.5 to 2 years. Review the MA planning document to see options for program pacing.
  • Courses are offered in several modalities, such as face-to-face, online and mixed mode. In-person classes meet once a week in the evening.
  • Students can start the program in any semester and finish the program in either the fall or spring semesters. Review our course offerings schedule to help with planning.
  • Students must take all three sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FCTE) before their internship. The first section of the examination, the General Knowledge Test (GKT), is the suggested admissions examination. We also accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
  • Application deadlines are July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring, and April 1 for summer. If you have missed the application deadline, it is possible to start as a non-degree-seeking student.